Residents have launched a renewed plea for action to redevelop a “blot on the landscape” former pub. 

Disused pub The Station, in St Helen Auckland, and two adjoining houses have been empty and falling into a state of dilapidation for several years.

Residents have previously complained that the boarded-up properties are not just a monstrosity, next to the main road through the village, but that they also attract vandals and arsonists who have started rubbish fires nearby.

A petition calling on Durham County Council to buy the site from the private owner so it can be redeveloped was signed by hundreds of people. 

Disused pub The Station, in St Helen Auckland, and two adjoining houses have fallen into a state of dilapidation for several years. Disused pub The Station, in St Helen Auckland, and two adjoining houses have fallen into a state of dilapidation for several years. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Durham County Councillor for West Auckland Rob Yorke has long campaigned for action to tidy up the site and is again urging the council’s leaders to step in by using new powers to take control of the building.

He said: “We are seeing lots of regeneration nearby, yet the former Station Pub is a blot on the landscape. Residents are keen to see progress having already had a petition with over 600 names submitted to the council for something to be done about this derelict, empty building.”

The local authority said it has repeatedly attempted to redevelop the site but has been told the owner is now living in the building.

“This derelict building also lies on the direct route of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, which celebrates its 200-anniversary next year,” added Cllr Yorke. “Not a very pleasant site for visitors and tourists to come across when walking along the new £7 million upgraded route, which goes from nearby Witton Park to Newton Aycliffe in County Durham and then onto Stockton.”

New Government measures, announced this week, mean local authorities will be able to auction off leases for commercial properties that have been empty for long periods, helping bring business back to the high street and drive growth across the country.

High street rental auctions will create a ‘right to rent’ for businesses and community groups, giving them access to city, town and village centre sites. The changes will stop disengaged landlords from sitting on empty lots for more than 365 days in a 24-month period before councils can auction a one-to-five-year lease.

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In a direct plea to the county council, Cllr Yorke added: “Can we please use these powers of enforcement on the owner of the Station Pub at St Helen Auckland to lease the premises or persuade them to sell?”

Amanda Hopgood, leader of Durham County Council, said: “We understand the concerns surrounding the former Station pub and our officers have been in touch with the owner multiple times to try to find a way to bring it back into use. Last week, the owner informed us that they are now living in the building, but we will continue to monitor the situation.

“Non-statutory guidance was published this week outlining how local authorities and other interested partners can use high street rental auction powers. We are currently investigating how these powers could complement our own ongoing work to target empty buildings, as part of our commitment to regenerating towns and villages across the county.”